I joined my husband's bass club about 5 years ago. I was nose deep into showing horses but that was getting to be a drag and physically/mentally draining. He had moved away from his fishing partners and was fishing more and more on his own. Essentially, I started going along just to keep him company. I'd read, work on my tan, nap...whatever. Then he convinced me to at least throw something out there. I'd hook something, land it and just spin around for him to take it off the hook. Well, just took a few times of me catching a few bigger than his before I realized this was pretty darn fun.
I won a few of the club tournaments and 1 year even had the big fish for the entire year. But they know a sucker and now I am stuck being secretary/treasurer.
3 years ago, I had a chance to fish our regional State Championship qualifier, but he kinda dissed that with the "what if you have to pee" argument. I let him talk me out of going. He even gave up his boater position since I was crapping out as a non-boater. ( this is a draw partner kinda thing and I would be paired with strangers for 2 days). Last year...I had done my research and just decided I would deal with it if I had to go (which I didn't - but THEY did and I politely turned my head) My buddy the second day was at first glance, a bit of a jerk. But since then, I have spent some time with him and he has become a real supporter of female fisherwomen in the Federation. - well, there are only 3 in the whole state. This year, I fished the qualifier again and had more great boat partners. I didn't need the bathroom break, but I did slip down in the floor and change into shorts each day. They kindly turned their backs. No biggie. My husband had teased each of them that if I don't catch anything I cry. I told them just just make sure they put me on some fish! End result this year??? I qualified for the State Championship placing 14 out of 64 . And a buddy of mine fished another division and placed 8 out of about 80!!!!!!! She and I will be going head to head! Everyone has been so supportive of us. I think we don't approach it as women primarily. We are fisher(men) that just have more estrogen in us than they do. We have even dubbed ourselves "Team Estrogen". I met some other great guys in the parking lot when their truck battery died and I helped them jump it. We met up later and they called me "Triple A" which made my husband question how I knew more people there than he did and he has been doing the tournament thing for 30 years. He doesn't get jealous unless I out-fish him!!!! If I want to pick up a new man...it won't be at a fishing tournament. They only have one thing on their mind!!!!!!!!
I understand, and have heard comments, that some of the wives might not be 100% cool with their husbands being on a boat with a woman they don't know for 9 hours. This may sound harsh, but if they are that insecure, they are the type that would worry if he asked a woman where the trash bags are at the grocery store. I try to be nice, professional, and myself. If their they or their wives have a problem with me, that is their loss ...'cause I am a pretty cool person!~!!!!!
